Nikelle represents clients in all aspects of local government and real estate with an emphasis in land use and real estate development, public-private partnerships, procurement, and governmental affairs.
Her work includes zoning, permitting, land use planning, development application processing and representation before local city councils, business development, relationship management, economic development, zoning boards of adjustment, planning commissions, local governing bodies and state and local agencies. In short, she helps clients navigate real estate development projects through governmental approvals.
She also has vast experience in commercial transactions including purchases and sales, leases, public financing and general contracts.
Before joining Husch Blackwell, Nikelle was a partner at Brown McCarroll.
Nikelle is a member of the firm’s Executive Board.
Industry
Real Estate, Development & Construction
Services
Banking & Finance
Condominium & HOA
Corporate Real Estate
Economic Development Impact
Government Solutions
Land Use
Public Law
Public-Private Partnerships (P3)
Real Estate Investment
Recognition
- Austin Black Business Journal, Lawyer of the Year, 2019
- Austin Black Business Journal, Achievements in Black Austin, 2019
- Austin Business Journal, Top 20 People to Know, 2012
- Austin Business Journal, Profiles in Power Award, 2009
- Austin Monthly magazine, Top Austin Attorney, Land Use Environment, 2019, 2023
- Austin Under 40, 2007
- Bisnow, Austin Women Leading Real Estate, 2022
- The Business Journals' Influencers: Law, 2018
- The Best Lawyers In America®, Real Estate Law, Litigation - Land Use and Zoning, 2018-2023, Land Use and Zoning Law, 2020-2023; Best Lawyers® Land Use and Zoning Law "Lawyer of the Year," Austin, 2021
- Chambers USA, Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use, 2022 and 2023
- Kappa Alpha Psi Outstanding Community Leader Award, 2013
- Lawyers of Color, Wonderful Women, 2023
- REDNews, Texas Icons, 2022
- Texas Bar Foundation Fellow, 2013-present
- Texas Monthly, Top Women Attorneys in Texas, 2020
- Thomson Reuters' Texas Super Lawyers, Rising Star, 2004-2006, Land Use/Zoning, Legislative & Governmental Affairs, 2016-2019
- Travis County Women Lawyers’ Association, Pathfinder Award, 2023
Education
- J.D., University of Texas School of Law
- Endowed Presidential Scholar, 1992-1995
- B.A., University of Texas at Austin
- English and Psychology
- Texas Excellence Scholar, 1988-1992
Admissions
Professional Memberships and Certifications
- American Bar Association, State and Local Government Section, Business Law Section, Real Property and Trust Section
- American Planning Association, state chapter and national chapter
- Austin Bar Association, Real Estate Section, Administrative Law Section
- Austin Chamber of Commerce, Board Member
- Cedar Park Chamber of Commerce, Member
- Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority, Vice Chair
- Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW), Austin Chapter
- International Bridge, Turnpike and Tunnel Association
- National Council for Public Private Partnerships, Member
- National Forum for Black Public Administrators, Central Texas Chapter
- Opportunity Austin, Investor Representative
- Real Estate Council of Austin, President’s Council
- Round Rock Chamber of Commerce, Momentum Investor Group
- State Bar of Texas, Real Estate, Probate and Trust Law Section, Business Section
- Urban Land Institute – Austin, Advisory Board Member, Creative Culture Council
Languages
- German, conversant
- Spanish, conversant
- Italian, conversant
